Terves LLC, Euclid, Ohio, announces that it has been selected by the U.S. Army and the Missile Defense Agency to continue development of novel high-strength, non-flammable, nanostructured magnesium alloys for light-weighting applications. Terves received the Department of Defense SBIR support to enhance its patent-pending cast and wrought magnesium alloys derived from its high-temperature, high-strength magnesium alloys currently used in oil and gas applications. These new alloys, with further development, show tremendous potential to save 30% or more in structural weight by replacing cast and wrought 2000, 6000, and 7000 series aluminum alloys in transportation, space, and defense applications.
“The very high strength, ductility, and mechanical durability at elevated temperatures of these nanostructured low-density magnesium alloys make them excellent candidates for aerospace, defense, and transportation lightweighting initiatives,” says CEO AndrewSherman.
The alloy series was developed based on newly understood “Long Period Stacking Order (LPSO)” nanostructured phases modified by reducing rare earth contents, and by microalloying to control flammability and corrosion, and to strengthen the primary alpha phase. The resulting product is a lightweight magnesium alloy castings or wrought products with uniform high strength and ductility. It is directly comparable to the 7000 series aluminum alloys, and is a metal alternative to carbon fiber composites.
“The efforts represent Depart of Defense-sponsored collaborations initiated through our LIFT (Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow) membership and networking efforts, and we want to recognize LIFT for that role,” says Mr. Sherman
Specifically, the Missile Defense Agency’s support funds a collaboration with Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), which is helping Terves to optimize thermomechanical processing for producing very high-strength thin-walled structures for aerospace and defense; while the recently selected Army-sponsored effort will fund a collaborative program with Dr Alan Luo’s group at The Ohio State University to develop heat-treatable alloy variants for thick-section castings, die castings, plate, and forgings useful for helicopter and potentially armor applications.
